The charities argue they've already helped millions of people and would get criticized if they spent too much up front instead of addressing the long term.

"At the same time we move quickly, we move also prudently with spending the funds so that we ensure that the investment is made prudently," said Gary Philoctete, CARE Assistant Country Directory Haiti.

As head of the American Red Cross, Gail McGovern is well-aware of prior scandals where the Red Cross was accused of collecting money for one cause but spending it on another.

"Can you tell the public today that every dime raised by the American Red Cross for Haiti will be spent on Haiti?" Attkisson asked.

It's too soon to get the most detailed accounting. Each non-profit has its own policing mechanisms, like independent audits and advisory committees. They each say they can show with great precision where nearly every penny is going, but that will take time.

Bill Canny leads Emergency Operations for Catholic Relief Services - which has spent the least proportionally of the charities we looked at.

"Our donors don't just ask that we spend money quickly, they ask that we spend money on quality programs that are transparent," Canny said.

With so many billions of dollars in the mix, one thing's clear. There's plenty to spend money on and no shortage of questions about how and when it will be used.